Hello Everyone, I am a new member. I am really excited about taking my family on the Disney Cruise. I've been wanting to go on this cruise since my daughter was two and I felt she was too young. Well she's seven now and I have a son who will be three at the time of the cruise. I am going on the West Coast cruise. I hope it's as fun as the cruise in Florida. I am not a person who like to fly, so when I heard about the cruise out here where I live in California, I just could not pass that up. I hope someone can answer a few of my questions:
1. Is my son too young to go? will he really enjoy the cruise?
2. Should I wait till he turns five and my daughter will be ten?
3. Is there anyone besides me that is a little nervous about leaving there kids in the kid programs?
I read about the program and I know it's safe and they screen there employees....but I was just a little nervous. I hope someone can help me overcome this nervousness that I have. I never traveled with my kids. This will be the first time we went on a family vacation for seven days. So I hope you can understand my concerns. Sorry for the long message.

[Holly213]

We are going on the cruise in April I will let you what we thought of the Kid's programs when we get back. My daughter is 3 and my son is 6. I have heard such positive things about the programs that I feel pretty comfortable with it. I have even heard people say that their kids were complaining about having to spend time with them because it was so fun!! Holly

[Jesserin]

I have cruised 12 times before and 7 of those were with small children. The first was when they were 2,5 and 9 - and they all had a blast. But I would say it depends on how outgoing your children are. If they tend to be Ok when left with babysitters or friends for a night out then they'll love the kids programs as they are everything you could ever want. But if they tend to shy away from people and strangers you may want to consider holding off - it will be hard to occupy them for 7 days straight without the any of their toys or activities on hand.

Disney cruises are made for families - I think y'all would have a wonderful time!

Holly that will be great if you could contact me when you get back from the cruise. Thanks for replying. I am really excited about going.

Originally Posted by Holly213

We are going on the cruise in April I will let you what we thought of the Kid's programs when we get back. My daughter is 3 and my son is 6. I have heard such positive things about the programs that I feel pretty comfortable with it. I have even heard people say that their kids were complaining about having to spend time with them because it was so fun!! Holly

Jesserin..thanks for the advice. My kids do tend to shy away from strangers, so what I will do from now until the cruise is really talk to them and let them know that they'll be fine and have lots of fun. I guess it's not really the program that I am a little nervous with. I think my fear is just being surrounded by water and not having my kids. I am not afraid to sail at all I went on a cruise before. It's just different for me having the kids. Their so used to weekend vacation going to the snow or Disneyland . So this is new for all of us. I know once were there I will be fine. Thanks again

Originally Posted by Jesserin

I have cruised 12 times before and 7 of those were with small children. The first was when they were 2,5 and 9 - and they all had a blast. But I would say it depends on how outgoing your children are. If they tend to be Ok when left with babysitters or friends for a night out then they'll love the kids programs as they are everything you could ever want. But if they tend to shy away from people and strangers you may want to consider holding off - it will be hard to occupy them for 7 days straight without the any of their toys or activities on hand.

Disney cruises are made for families - I think y'all would have a wonderful time!

[maryb]

hi- can any tell me how to initiate a message??? i'm so confused!

[Jesserin]

No problem Jaycee! I think that's very smart parenting - prepare you children well and there won't be any suprises when you get there - get them excited about the program, It's almost like being in Disneyland anyways - they'll be surrounded by their favorite characters and you'll be just around the corner. The great part of cruising with the family? You're only a boat length away - and that's not so bad! I know when we went the kids were begging at dinner time to go back and be with their friends - they do so many fun things with the kids - I think everyone will really enjoy themselves!

Hi Marb I am new at this too If you want to reply click on the bottom of the message where it says Quote. If your just trying to send a message for everyone to read...I am not sure what it says but I will get right back to you and read what I clicked on .

Originally Posted by maryb

hi- can any tell me how to initiate a message??? i'm so confused!

Oh how I needed to hear that. This cruise is not cheap!!! so it's good to hear that the kids will have a great time. My husband and I are hoping to have a great time also. My husband keeps asking me am I sure they have adult things to do I even showed him the website and he still ask. I think I am more excited than my kids (that's so bad)

Originally Posted by Jesserin

No problem Jaycee! I think that's very smart parenting - prepare you children well and there won't be any suprises when you get there - get them excited about the program, It's almost like being in Disneyland anyways - they'll be surrounded by their favorite characters and you'll be just around the corner. The great part of cruising with the family? You're only a boat length away - and that's not so bad! I know when we went the kids were begging at dinner time to go back and be with their friends - they do so many fun things with the kids - I think everyone will really enjoy themselves!

[Jesserin]

It's amazing when you are the one paying for it how much more it means... your kids will be excited when they see the ship - but you get to be excited about planning the whole thing... Your husband will be amazed at the things to do - I know if he's anything like my hubby, the idea of just relaxing for a week was less than thrilling to him... that's whey they plan activities all day long for the cruise guests... me? I could grab a seat by the pool and camp there for 7 days - but it's fun to do alot of activities too!

[Holly213]

Jaycee, order the Disney Cruise free planning kit with video or DVD. It really show s the kids and the husband what is available to them and get them hyped for the trip! Holly

Will do!!!!! Thanks

Originally Posted by Holly213

Jaycee, order the Disney Cruise free planning kit with video or DVD. It really show s the kids and the husband what is available to them and get them hyped for the trip! Holly

[maryb]

how do you order it- is it thru this web site?

[Jesserin]

Yep - you can go to www.disneycruiseline.com or call them - the number is on the website.

[ladylilo]

Originally Posted by Holly213

Jaycee, order the Disney Cruise free planning kit with video or DVD. It really show s the kids and the husband what is available to them and get them hyped for the trip! Holly

Hi there! I am so jealous that you are going on the Cruise. We went (Western) in October and had the most amazing time. My son was 10 when we went and he went to the Kids Club, but only a couple of times. Not because it was no good but simply because there was so much else going on that he wanted to hang out with us (amazing I know for a 10 year old!). The great thing about cruising with kids is, in my opinion, that they can't get lost! There is nowhere for them to go where they could get lost and there are plenty of crew members around all the time.

One other piece of advice that I would like to give is for you to read the trip reports on TD for the Disney Cruise. I found this really informative, even more than from the official web sites (unless of course you want everything to be a complete surprise!).

Hope you have a fantastic time (you will!) Lucky thing!